rebellious

American  

[ri-bel-yuhs] / rɪˈbɛl yəs /

adjective

1. defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.

   Synonyms:

   contumacious, disobedient, refractory, rebel, seditious, mutinous, insurgent, defiant

2. pertaining to or characteristic of rebels or rebellion.

3. (of things) resisting treatment; refractory.

---

rebellious British  

/ rɪˈbɛljəs /

adjective

1. showing a tendency towards rebellion

2. (of a problem, etc) difficult to overcome; refractory

---

Usage

What does rebellious mean? Rebellious is an adjective that describes someone who resists or defies rules. Someone who acts in such a way can be called a rebel. However, the word rebel can also be used to refer to a revolutionary trying to overthrow a government. Such actions can be described as rebellious, but rebellious is much more commonly used to describe people or actions that break the rules, resist authority, or otherwise challenge the status quo. It’s especially applied to teenagers who act this way. The noun rebelliousness refers to such behavior. The noun rebellion can refer to this, but it’s also used to refer to an attempt to overthrow a government (rebelliousness isn’t typically used this way.)Example: Danielle was labeled rebellious for refusing to wear her uniform to school.

Other Word Forms

• half-rebellious adjective
• half-rebelliously adverb
• half-rebelliousness noun
• nonrebellious adjective
• nonrebelliously adverb
• nonrebelliousness noun
• quasi-rebellious adjective
• quasi-rebelliously adverb
• rebelliously adverb
• rebelliousness noun
• semirebellious adjective
• semirebelliously adverb
• semirebelliousness noun
• unrebellious adjective
• unrebelliously adverb
• unrebelliousness noun

Etymology

Origin of rebellious

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin rebelliōsus, from Latin rebelli(ō) “war renewal, revolt” ( rebellion ) + -ōsus -ous

Explanation

A rebellious person likes to challenge authority and break the rules every now and then. A really rebellious group tries to overthrow the government. Being rebellious is part of the American character. If the colonies hadn't been rebellious enough to rebel against England, there would be no United States. Large groups of people can be rebellious, but so can individuals. A student who talks back to the teacher is being rebellious. An employee who ignores a dress code is being rebellious. Anywhere there's an authority, someone is probably acting rebellious toward it.

Example Sentences

The novel, partly narrated by SP’s great-grandson Mohit Chopra, illuminates the character’s rebellious awakening from his family with a punched-gut-riot stew of emotions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Fashion historian Dr Helen Walter says Westwood's "punk" approach to tartan transformed it from being something associated with staid British cultural norms and gave it a rebellious streak.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

He walked away with $50,000, and child-star Olsen got a rebellious rebrand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

His character, rebellious first-year Robbie Wright, was in the show until 1989.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Volpe began to dabble in somewhat edgier fare, beginning with Pippin, a dark and existential musical inspired by the story of Charlemagne’s rebellious son.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• alienated
• disaffected
• fractious
• recalcitrant
• restless
• turbulent
• unruly
• warring